Clarke century gives Aussies hope in Sydney
Clarke's innings put Australia in a good position to salvage a win
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Sunday, 04, Jan 2009 09:59
Michael Clarke scored his tenth Test century to help Australia move into a strong position in the third Test against South Africa in Sydney.
The match was in the balance at the start of day two with the Aussies resuming on 267-6 but Clarke and bowler Mitchell Johnson shared a stand of 142 to get the home side to 445 all out.
In reply the Proteas lost opener Neill McKenzie for 23 before captain Graeme Smith was forced to retire hurt on 30 with a broken hand, leaving the tourists on 125-1 at the close of play.
Clarke and Johnson stunned the Proteas by dominating the morning session on day two at the SCG as they steered the home side past 350.
The Aussie vice captain eventually fell for 138 to occasional off-spin bowler JP Duminy who had him caught and bowled.
Johnson had scored 64 off 124 balls and had struck 11 fours before he followed Clarke to leave Australia on 381-8.
Paul Harris took the last two wickets of the Aussie innings to finish with 3-84 but not before Nathan Hauritz and Peter Siddle added a further 59 for the ninth wicket.
South Africa saw out a tricky short session before tea to reach 18-0 but were dealt a devastating blow soon after the break.
A sharp Johnson delivery struck Smith on the left hand and forced him from the field of play. McKenzie dug in and got the score up to 76 with Hashim Amla before the opener was dismissed by Siddle.
The Proteas will hope to build a big score in the first innings, knowing Smith will be unavailable for the rest of the match, and then hope to pressurise the Aussie batsmen on day four.